Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend anymore, and more and more modern couples are embracing colorful gemstone engagement rings. Just because you want to put a ring on it doesn’t mean you have to be traditional about it. With all the bad press about blood diamonds in Africa, and a generational disinterest in the steep prices of the diamond industry, many modern couples are opting for a more colorful engagement ring.
If marriage is about eternal joy, shouldn’t your engagement ring be joyful as well? With a full spectrum of colorful precious gems to pick from, you can be sure to find a ring as unique as your relationship. Read on for five of the most popular gemstone colors for engagement rings.
Sapphires
Consider a brilliant blue sapphire ring. Sapphires are said to symbolize wisdom and focus, two traits everyone needs when they enter a marriage, and the deep, sparkling cobalt stone makes for a striking engagement ring. Kate Middleton famously has an incredible 18 karat sapphire engagement ring, which originally belonged to Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana.
With a Mohs’ Scale score of 9, sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones, only outranked by diamonds and moissanite. Though most people know sapphire for its luminous blue shades, rare purple, yellow, and orange sapphire are also possible. The blue shades of sapphire look best when complemented with a cool toned precious metal, like white gold or platinum.
Emeralds
Emerald is a classic stone of romance! Said to be a stone of serenity, the verdant green emerald always turns heads. Actress and style icon, Zoe Saldana, has been spotted showing off a stunning engagement ring featuring a brilliant pear cut emerald. Emerald engagement rings have also been favored by celebrities like Halle Berry and Olivia Wilde.
The rich green color is very versatile, and looks wonderful paired with other colored stones. Consider grouping emerald with yellow topaz or violet amethyst in a gemstone cluster ring, for a playfully bold look.
Ruby
With its deep, blood red color, it’s easy to see why ruby is considered the stone of passion, love, and power. Its romantic symbolism makes it a natural choice for an engagement ring. Although Grace Kelly’s enormous diamond ring would later become legend, her husband, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, originally proposed to the movie star with a simpler ruby and diamond band.
Like sapphire, ruby is a corundum mineral, and scores a 9 on the Mohs’ Scale, making it a hard, durable gem that polishes brilliantly.
Topaz
Topaz also makes for an unusual option for an engagement ring. Pure topaz is colorless in appearance, but is naturally tinted by impurities in the stone. The result is a wide array of beautifully colored topaz, ranging from red or pink to canary yellow, and even sky blue! Because topaz crystals grow in elongated columns, topaz looks especially good cut into long oval, rectangle, or pear shapes.
Opals
If you are looking for a truly unusual engagement ring, an opal ring might be for you. The pearly, reflective stone looks as if it has magical qualities. Depending on where it is found, opal can come in a variety of shades including white, green, blue, and black.
Ancient Romans considered opals a symbol of hope and good fortune, which bodes well for any union. The pale milky composition of opal looks best when set off by a warm gold band.
Be Unique
With an enormous array of vibrant gemstones to pick from, a diamond doesn’t have to be the default option. An unconventional colorful gemstone engagement ring can make a unique, bold statement. Explore your options today through online boutiques that cater to alternative styles.
